Book Review - The Christmas Calendar Girls by Samantha Tonge

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Christmas Calendar Girls

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 3rd October 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

This Christmas fall in love with the town of Chesterwood...
Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, so with Chesterwood food bank under risk of closure Fern knows just what to do to save it. She's going to get the town to create a living advent calendar.

Fern, and her best friends, call for help from the local community to bring this calendar to life. When Kit, the new man in town, offers his assistance Fern's heart can't help but skip a beat (or two).

As they grow ever closer, Fern must admit that Kit's breaking down the barriers she built after the death of her husband. But his past is holding him back and Fern doesn't know how to reach him. No matter how hard she tries.

In this town, Kit's not the only one with secrets. Domestic goddess Cara is behaving oddly, burning meals in the oven and clothes whilst ironing, and Davina's perfect children are causing trouble at school leaving her son, Jasper, desperately unhappy.

Can the Christmas Calendar Girls find a way to bring the community together in time to save the food bank, while still supporting their families and each other? Can Fern find love again with Kit?

This is a story about kindness and letting go of the past. It's about looking out for your neighbours and about making every day feel like Christmas.

A fabulous festive story with feeling and grit. 

What an inventive idea a living advent calendar is, and seeing how it all came together and the ideas that each day had for their turn were incredibly imaginative.   

There is a lot of depth within this story, all three of the main characters are struggling with various things in their lives.   Fern, Davina and Cara are great friends, and I enjoyed seeing how their stories would develop. 

What really hooked me as the storyline that felt a bit like it came out of a Christmas film - where the friends are asking to community to rally around and save a much needed amenity, in a race against time to raise the funds, from the nasty scrooge like landlord. 

It's an eye opening story in that it takes in just how important a local foodbank is, gives plenty of examples of people whose circumstances mean they need to use it, as well as a character who is starting to turn their life around,  and is someone I was really drawn to. 

There is plenty of Christmas Cheer, and its such an enjoyable story.  All the children are great, and there are some incredibly touching moments. 

I really loved this book, and it is so great to see Samantha Tonge go back to writing a more light hearted book, but still taking in some of the more serious topics that were dealt with in her darker books.  

I'm trying to not give too much away, but safe to say I would definitely recommend reading The Christmas Calendar Girls.  And I promise unlike The Calendar Girls film / musical there are no naked calendars... this is completely different!! 

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Knowing You by Samantha Tonge

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Knowing You

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: 14th March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...

 Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

Her long-term friends Kath and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says...

To me this is a book of two halves - the first half gives us a feel for what Violet is normally like, how her break up for Lenny is affecting her, and about her job in publishing. We get to meet her friends and there is a lot of talk about books which I l always like.   

Then the second half well from about 60% onwards I knew I couldn't put the book down, had no idea what was going on around me, as I was so utterly absorbed as everything seemed to move up a notch,  and some of the things I was wondering about became slightly more confirmed, but at the same time shocking me. 

Depending on your circumstances there are themes in this book that could be upsetting, but at the same time most likely will ring true for anyone going through the same things.  I am not going to mention that big themes of the book though as I have no intention of spoiling anything for anyone. 

In fact this is a hard book to review given to me all the best bits, the most impressive sections and the bits I'd love to shout about are all in the second half of the book, and work best if you have read it all,  so rest assured its absolutely fantastic, and had me completely and utterly gripped. 

The best comparison I have is to liken this to Amanda Prowse - in terms of really getting to grips with a tricky issue, writing about it in an accessible and sensitive way, making you really feel something for the characters involved,  If this is the direction that Samantha Tonge is moving in, and it certainly seems that way after the last two books, then I can only look forward to seeing what she tackles next, as this was really impressive. 

I loved the Violet worked in publishing, anything that gives me an insight as to how books are made / acquired etc.. always fascinates me, and I loved her friends at the retirement home book club that she runs have decided to set up a blog. 

All the lighter moments of the book were equally well described and I really felt as though I was getting to know Violet, her new flatmate Bella and all of her friends and colleagues really well. 

There were times where I really disliked Violet, she is someone who seems as though she is too easily led by others and seems to struggle to know her own mind.  At times I wanted to, knock some sense into her,, and at others just give her a hug as she seemed so inexperienced too. 

Interspersed with the present day story we get flashbacks of what life was like for Violet in 2001, when she was only 7. They added a lot of the book, and gave an idea of where some of Vi's personality traits evidently stemmed from. 

If like me you love reading women's fiction, but also quite like reading darker books too - then this new dark women's fiction genre  - and Knowing You in particular could be just what you are looking for.   I certainly glad that I read it. 

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Forgive Me Not by Samantha Tonge

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Forgive Me Not

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date:  23rd July 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

How far would you go to make amends?

When Emma fled her home at Foxglove Farm, she’d let down and hurt those who cared for her most. But now, two years later, she’s ready to face up to her past; she’s ready to go back.

But Emma’s unannounced return causes more problems than she could have foreseen. The people she knew and loved aren’t ready to forget, let alone forgive. And the one person she wants to reconnect with the most, her mother, can’t remember who she is.

Just as Emma starts to rebuild trust, an uncovered family secret and a shocking past crime threaten her newly forged future...

Sometimes simply saying sorry isn’t enough.

Easily one of the best books I have read this year, and its a story and its message that will stay with me for long after I've finished it. 

This is an eye opening read as it deals with issues that people don't think about too much (or at least I'm ashamed to say I don't), and just goes to show that even after reaching rock bottom, there is a chance to improve your life.  

It is a story of self awareness, self discovery and learning to live with your past, as well as trying to forge a better future for yourself. 

This is a book that from the first few pages had completely enthralled me and I found myself reading far later into the small hours of the morning than intended, and then the following day read the majority of the book in one sitting, completely oblivious to the outside world. 

I was hooked on discovering everything about Emma, from the year or so before she returned to Foxglove Farm, to how she is trying to make amends.  I was enthralled by her life, which doesn't make for easy light hearted reading, and focuses on a gritty reality. 

The characters, especially Emma were completely believable, and I found myself really warming to her, despite had we learnt about aspects of her past first, you may not have been as keen.  

I have been a fan of Samantha Tonge's previous books for years,  but whereas they were generally romantic comedies this is full deep and meaningful women's fiction, a marked change of direction, but if this is what she is capable of long may it continue. 

I will say that depending on your own circumstances some of the issues tackled in this book which is clearly well researched, could be upsetting or disturbing, but yet to name them I feel would be a spoiler, and also potentially give you pre-conceptions about the book that it doesn't deserve. 

Forgive Me Not is a book best read without too much prior information, just sit down for a few hours,  and allow yourself to be drawn into Emma's story.  I could barely tear myself away.  

I am completely thrilled that I had a chance to read this book,  it truly is something special. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - One Summer In Rome by Samantha Tonge

Amazon UK

Title: One Summer In Rome

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 9th May 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

To Rome…with love?
Mary Smith is turning her very ordinary life upside-down! She’s bought herself a one-way ticket to Rome and is ready for a summer she’ll never forget.

Men might be off the cards for waitress Mary, but within hours of arriving at the utterly charming family-run La Dolce Vita pizzeria, she’s already fallen in love with the bustling capital!

Only Dante Rossi, the mysterious (and drop-dead gorgeous) chef seems displeased with her arrival. And in the heat of the kitchen, it doesn’t take long for long-buried secrets to surface and sparks to fly…

What a perfect book to have read over the first signs of Spring in April that we have have had this year.  Reading about a summer spent in Italy as the weather is just warming up in England, felt like fabulous timing, and made me absorb the brilliance of the book even more. 

This a a fantastic summer read, and if you like pizza then you will be in heaven with the book as its predominately set in La Dolce Vita pizzeria, with the Rossi family. 

Featuring one hot pizza chef, Dante its no wonder that Mary has bought a one way ticket to Rome and is hoping to make a new life for herself!  Dante I fell in love with very early on, and absolutely loved every scene that he was in.  He like the rest of his family have gone through a nightmarish previous two years for a variety of reasons, which I can't reveal to you, rest assured once you learn the back story you will have admiration for the whole family at how they are coping with everything. 

And the food all the varieties of pizza, and the associated scents and tastes are all present in this book that features far more of the life in Rome, than the tourist areas.  There is a rivalry with another pizzerie, there are dance classes there are assorted tougher subjects tackled incredibly well and sensitively.  

This is just a book that packs so much into its page, there is never a dull moment, and I just wish I could have stayed in this fictional Rome for a lot longer.  This book is without a doubt Samantha Tonge at her best, it has comedy, romance, family, delicious food, exotic location and a great level of depth to the characters too.   All I want to know is when is the next one out?!

Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The New Beginnings Coffee Club by Samantha Tonge - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: The New Beginnings Coffee Club

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 5th May 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Everyone deserves a second chance…don’t they?
Jenny Masters finds herself living the modern dream. Wife to a millionaire, living in a mansion and mother to Kardashian-obsessed ten-year-old April, there isn’t anything missing. Until, her whole world comes crashing down, forcing Jenny and April to leave behind their glittering life and start over with nothing.

With village gossip following her wherever she goes, she finds refuge and a job in the new coffee shop in town. As the days pass Jenny fears she doesn’t have what it takes to pick herself back up and give April the life she always wanted to. But with the help of enigmatic new boss Noah, and housemate Elle, Jenny realises it’s never too late to become the woman life really intended you to be!

This is definitely the book that has taken Samantha Tonge's writing to a new level. I've always enjoyed the books she has written, but there are subjects discussed in this story that make me feel as though she has moved up a gear, providing some fascinating storylines. 

Its a story of self discovery, or at least rediscovering who you truly are. Jenny great up in a regular family, and then while very young married Zachary who is a millionaire. She embraced the wealthy lifestyle to the fullest, along with her their daughter April who is 10. 

When Zachary blows their marriage apart and reveals his web of lies, Jenny suddenly has to rethink all of her priorities in life, and even manages in her early thirties to get her first job, in a coffee shop.  She and April also move into the accommodation above the shop, and are now living with Noah and Elle, who work there too. 

Noah and Elle both have secrets, one of them I guessed reasonably early on, and the other triggers my favourite storyline in the book, which tackles an issue that very relevant in today's society and that I haven't really seen in books before. 

What I also loved was seeing April, turn from a Kardashian loving, fashionista sort of a pre-teen into into a far more regular 10 year old child. She never ceased to amaze me, and I loved the creative ways that Jenny came up with dealing with what a cynic could say was April's bribe list for being happier at the new school! 

If you are a fan of coffee then you will love Noah's love of the drink, he is very into all of his coffee varieties and as a non drinker, I couldn't help but be surprised at just how much flavour variation there really is in coffee beans from various parts of the world. 

The Coffee Shop of New Beginnings is clearly a well researched book, that I didn't put down and just thoroughly enjoyed reading. I loved the various characters, apart from Jenny's soon to be very ex husband,  while also enjoying the village they live in and the various customers in the shop. I can't help but wonder if there could be more books set in the village, as I would love to know more about various of the secondary characters. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Guest Post - How to Write a Swoon-worthy Hero by Samantha Tonge

Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun has two swoon-worthy heroes – if I do say so myself. Poldark- lookalike Lucas, with his brooding moods, his shoulder-length raven curls and dark, dangerous eyes. And then there is Tremain with his strong build and demeanour with eyes that hint at a tragic back story... I adore writing heroes and nothing pleases me more than when a reader falls in love with them as much as I have.

So how do you write a hero that is seriously swoon-worthy? Well... looks come and go and the appearance of all the heroes in my books varies greatly, so I would say, first and foremost, it is personality that counts. And to have your reader really connecting with your character, I’d say you have to write from the heart. What turns you on about a man and makes you want to get to know him better?

For me, firstly, it is crinkly eyes that look as if they are affectionately laughing at you, whilst you talk.  I find that unbelievably sexy and it goes hand in hand with a man who can find humour in the world and himself. It shows he is confident. Perhaps a little cocky, which is fine in good measure. It reveals a man who is happy with whom he is and that self-assurance is so appealing. I also like a vulnerable side which takes me by surprise as I get to know him better. The killer combination for me is superman/Clarke Kent - a hero who is strong and determined and forthright – but who also has a sensitivity which makes him a gentle giant.

So once you have established characters traits to woo and ensnare your readers’ heart , think about appearance. I ran a very interesting thread on my Facebook page once, asking friends to tell me what they found attractive in a man. I was amazed that forearms came top! I suppose they hint at strength and capability – and hugs. Large hands were also popular – personally I find that a little scary! And shoulder-length hair. Tattoos. Plus a big nose. It was a long discussion AND NOT ONCE did a six-pack or V-muscle come up. So this moves me onto my next point: flaws.

To be truly swoon-worthy, I honestly believe a hero needs flaws. I mean, in real life I wouldn’t want to date Peter Perfect. And imagine dating a model? I’d be forever obsessing about my bikini line and muffin top! Plus flaws go back to the vulnerability – a bit like Poldark’s scar. Flaws hint at a back story; perhaps something challenging that the strong hero has overcome.

Finally, remember to explore all the senses to turn your reader on. During my Facebook discussion a man’s smell came up quite often. I personally like nothing better than a musky aftershave. Plus sound – deep voices are attractive. Or what about a Cornish accent like Tremain has in Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun? And then touch – how does he make the heroine feel  as he just brushes up against her or gives her a hug? Does her pulse race? Her cheeks blush? Showing her reactions, in detail, will add to the hero’s kudos and therefore swoon-worthiness.

Thank you so much Samantha for another wonderful post and for coming back yet again to feature on Rachel's Random Reads!  I do love your swoon-worthy heroes!


About Samantha Tonge

Samantha lives in Cheshire with her lovely family and a cat that thinks it's a dog. Along with writing, her days are spent cycling, willing cakes to rise and avoiding housework. A love of fiction developed as a child, when she was known for reading Enid Blyton books in the bath. A desire to write bubbled away in the background whilst she pursued other careers, including a fun stint working at Disneyland Paris. Formally trained as a linguist, Samantha now likes nothing more than holing herself up in the spare room, in front of the keyboard. Writing romantic comedy novels is her passion.

Samantha has sold over 80 short stories to mainstream women's magazines. Her debut romantic comedy novel from HarperCollins (CarinaUK), bestselling "Doubting Abbey", was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction Best Romantic Ebook award, 2014. The bestselling summer novel, Game of Scones, won the Love Stories Awards 2015 Best Romantic Ebook category. Her new novel, Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun is out July 2016!

https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter
https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor/
http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

Breakfast Under A Cornish Sun is published in paperback today! Happy publication day! 

Amazon UK

Dreaming of the perfect man?
Kate Golightly needs to move forward and what better way to do that then with a trip to the Cornish coast with best friend and boss, Izzy.

The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!

With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…

Guest Post - Crazy Golf by Samantha Tonge - Booklympics

Mistletoe Mansion, my 2014 Christmas bestseller, features a celebrity golfer and his wife. What fun it was writing about this sport. Oh the jokes about balls and holes in one and... er, okay. Perhaps I won’t go there today! And for the very first time in 2016, in Rio, golf has become an event at the Olympics. I have a kind of love/hate relationship with this sport but whether I like it or not, it’s part of my life.

You see, I grew up with a dad who is FANATICAL about golf. I used to caddy for him – eighteen holes – and get paid fifty pence. Talk about less than the minimum wage – I was robbed! And whilst I enjoyed the fresh air, well um... let’s just say it’s not the most dynamic of sports. You don’t get to see many hunky young men in shorts, as for tennis, and the most conversation you’ll get from anyone else is them shouting “fore!” And I still find the detailed analysis about pars and chips and slices slightly mind-numbing. In fact, hands-up, it drives me crazy!

Having said that, I really enjoyed golfing holidays my family and I spent in the spring, up in Scotland. My dad and brother would play a round whilst Mum and I accompanied them, carrying binoculars to spot birds of prey. We even went around a snowy Ben Nevis course – that was a visual challenge with white balls! A golfing holiday meant we spent the week out and about getting close to nature, spending quality time together chatting as we completed the eighteen holes. And when I was younger, hands-up, I’d enjoy the responsible job of scoring and the very important task of announcing the winners in reverse order.

As I’ve got older, I’ve never played, myself, although do enjoy crazy golf. There’s a great indoor course near us in Manchester, set out as a jungle and it always makes for a couple of hours of family fun. However, as I’ve matured I can appreciate what an all-round beneficial sport it is and seen how my husband enjoys it too. My dad’s in his eighties now and spends his days at the club still playing and socializing. Plus over the years, the whole family would attend social evenings in the clubhouse. Becoming a member is a great way of meeting like-minded people who can become friends for life. Especially as it’s a gentle sport than can be played for years and years. Lots of Dad’s friends, like him, are in their eighties, and are still going strong - even if it sometimes means using an electric buggy.

Thank you Samantha for yet again getting on board with one of my random ideas for a feature! I love Crazy Golf myself, but unfortunately the main memories I have of it are playing with a family member who is a sore loser and I recall one of us got his by a golf club! 

Dreaming of the perfect man?
Kate Golightly needs to move forward and what better way to do that then with a trip to the Cornish coast with best friend and boss, Izzy.

The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!

With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…

A hilarious and moving romantic novel from bestselling author, Samantha Tonge. A must-read this summer!

Available from all good ebook retailers from 28th July and in paperback from 25th August

Available for purchase on Amazon UK

About Samantha Tonge

Samantha lives in Cheshire with her lovely family and a cat that thinks it's a dog. Along with writing, her days are spent cycling, willing cakes to rise and avoiding housework. A love of fiction developed as a child, when she was known for reading Enid Blyton books in the bath. A desire to write bubbled away in the background whilst she pursued other careers, including a fun stint working at Disneyland Paris. Formally trained as a linguist, Samantha now likes nothing more than holing herself up in the spare room, in front of the keyboard. Writing romantic comedy novels is her passion.

Samantha has sold over 80 short stories to mainstream women's magazines. Her debut romantic comedy novel from HarperCollins (CarinaUK), bestselling "Doubting Abbey", was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction Best Romantic Ebook award, 2014. The bestselling summer novel, Game of Scones, won the Love Stories Awards 2015 Best Romantic Ebook category. Her new novel, Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun is out July 2016!


https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter
https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor/
http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

Book Review - Breakfast Under A Cornish Sun by Samantha Tonge - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: Breakfast Under A Cornish Sun

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Carina

Publication Date: 28th July 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

Dreaming of the perfect man?
Kate Golightly needs to move forward and what better way to do that then with a trip to the Cornish coast with best friend and boss, Izzy.

The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!

With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…

I spent pretty much the entire time I was reading this book with a huge grin on my face and the feeling of hunger in my belly. There are so many wonderful food descriptions, especially early on with a large amount of different doughnut flavours and toppings that I found myself craving a doughnut. 

For you see Kate works with her best friend Izzy in a cafe/cocktail bar called Doughnuts and Daiquiris, which does coffee during the day, and turns into a cocktail place at night, complete with Kate moving from waitressing to singing, as she is also a lounge singer. 

Kate manages to agree to go to an old school nemesis' wedding but also brags that she has a new boyfriend who looks exactly like Poldark. The problem is she is in reality single and only has a couple of weeks to find a willing volunteer that matches in the looks stakes. 

Cue a holiday to Cornwall that Izzy and Kate go on, to a holiday park that has seen better days. In true fiction book style, Izzy and Kate can't help but try to help out the wonderful owners with their problems. In doing so Kate finds two potential men for her plus one - Lucas and Tremain. 

Both men have their good points, although one of them is far better than the other, but the question is which one Kate will end up with. After all she only want's a plus one, she isn't ready to date again at all, after her previous relationship. 

I loved the setting in Cornwall and all the people they met at this holiday park, and also all the various ideas that came about for rebranding the business. Kate is a truly talented lady and clearly feels passionate about whatever it is she does, whether its singing, waitressing or coming up with startling good ideas. 

Kate's gran the Guv'nor also lives in Cornwall and is a formidable woman as she helps out and also tries to help Kate's heart recover from its previous upsets. 

There are some wonderfully entertaining moments in this story, as well as the wonderful food descriptions that don't stop once they get to Cornwall, in addition to dashin Cornish heroes, an unsavoury but not particularly clever bad person, and just an all around feel good summery story. 

I relished reading Breakfast Under A Cornish Sun, and it is set to be another triumph for author Samantha Tonge. This comes very close in my eyes to my favourite book by her, and is possibly even more enjoyable, just because I prefer doughnuts to scones! 

With dougnuts, daiquiris, dramatic scenery, brooding Poldark-esque men, what more could a girl want from a book! 

Thank you so much to Carina and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Please follow along with the blog tour, to see even more thoughts on Breakfast Under A Cornish Sun

Guest Post & Giveaway - Greek is the Word by Samantha Tonge - Greek Week

There is no doubt about it. Greece is one of the most romantic places in the world with its gorgeous turquoise sea, the shortbread sands and peachy pink sunsets to die for.  And the history – with so many truly ancient buildings to visit, a trip there can feel like a step back in time. I have holidayed there twice and those vacations inspired the setting for my award-winning novel Game of Scones and its standalone sequel My Big Fat Christmas Wedding.

As a young woman I holidayed in Kos with two girlfriends. What a blast! We hired mopeds and befriended a group of lads and spent our nights drinking and dancing... one nightclub even had a swimming pool in the middle! During the day I recall shopping and going to the beach, plus eating out of course. The local men seemed dark and dangerous with sexy accents and inspired the character of sultry fisherman Niko in my books - especially one who worked at our local bar. He had flirty eyes and curly hair. He would always greet us with “Yasas girlies” and had a cheeky smile.

I think the appeal of an island in sunny climes is the outdoor nature of life. This gives a carefree feel to day-to-day life - barefoot strolls along the beach, a sea breeze lifting your hair. In Game of Scones Niko and the main character Pippa have a special place on the beach, under a large fig tree.  As someone living in built-up Manchester that is a very attractive image. The nearest I get to sitting under a fig tree in the summer is planting myself under a street bar’s parasol for a drink! 

The music, as well, is so cheerful – along with seabirds and foreign chatter... it’s a wonderful soundtrack of life. Game of Scones is set in Taxos, a small fishing village, away from the dust and blaring car horns of city life. Of course, a story wouldn’t be satisfying if it was completely unrealistic, and both of my Greek books deal with the current Greek economic crisis plus the plight of refugees.

My view also isn’t one hundred percent rose-tinted as... well... there is the story of my honeymoon!
So, we arrive in Zante, tired from the wedding and flight and open our hotel room door. I go into the bathroom. The taps ‘spit’ water and to my horror, I am confronted with the Greek waste-disposal system (don’t flush loo paper)!  There is no air-con and at night we are plagued by mosquitoes – I suffer from an allergic reaction to their bites. Plus at the beginning of the holiday, out in the strong sea breeze sun rays, for the first time in my life I suffer from Prickly Heat – my body is covered, from head to toe, for most of the holiday, with a red itchy rash.  Hardly romantic!

Overall, though, I would definitely say Greek is the Word for the perfect romantic setting of a book. But if you are going there in real life, just don’t forget the insect repellent and sun cream!

Thank you so much Samantha for this great look at Greece and your not particularly romantic Zante honeymoon. I still remember finishing Game of Scones last year and googling for a holiday in Taxos, only to discover it was a figment of your imagination!

Author Bio

Samantha Tonge lives in Cheshire with her lovely family and a cat that thinks it’s a dog. When not writing, she spends her days cycling and willing cakes to rise. She has sold over 80 short stories to women’s magazines. Her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award in 2014. Her summer 2015 novel Game of Scones hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart. 

Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

AmazonUK or Amazon US

Giveaway - Win a signed copy of Game of Scones (Open Internationally)

Since it is Greek Week here on Rachel's Random Reads, Samantha Tonge has very kindly donated a signed copy of Game of Scone for one lucky person to win. 

Giveaway open Internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 4/6/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win a signed copy of Game of Scones (Open Internationally)

Cover Reveal - Breakfast at Poldark's by Samantha Tonge

It is always a pleasure to be able to focus on a Samantha Tonge book, here on Rachel's Random Reads, and I can't believe I have had the cover for a few days, and managed not to show anyone given how gorgeous it is.

I love the look of this cover, and am really looking forward to the book too. I hope you all like the look of Breakfast at Poldark's too.

Ebook Publication Date: 28th July 2016

Paperback Publication Date: 25th August 2016

Publisher: Carina

DREAMING OF THE PERFECT MAN?

Kate Golightly needs to move forward and what better way to do that then with a trip to the Cornish coast with best friend and boss, Izzy.

The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!

With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…

A hilarious and moving romantic novel from bestselling author, Samantha Tonge. A must-read this summer!

Links:

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

About Samantha Tonge

Samantha lives in Cheshire with her lovely family and a cat that thinks it's a dog. Along with writing, her days are spent cycling, willing cakes to rise and avoiding housework. A love of fiction developed as a child, when she was known for reading Enid Blyton books in the bath. A desire to write bubbled away in the background whilst she pursued other careers, including a fun stint working at Disneyland Paris. Formally trained as a linguist, Samantha now likes nothing more than holing herself up in the spare room, in front of the keyboard. She has sold over 80 stories to women's magazines. Her bestselling debut novel, "Doubting Abbey", from CarinaUK HarperCollins, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award in 2014. Game of Scones won the 2015 Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=423066221136190&fref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SamTongeWriter

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

Guest Post & Giveaway - Samantha Tonge's Five Favourite Things About Paris - Paris Weekend

My fun romantic comedy, From Paris with Love, is set in the French capital, and in order to write it I drew on a period of my life when I lived there. In fact I have lived there twice, once as part of my university degree and once when I worked at EuroDisney. Both fun times, the result of which was that I fell in love with this city and my fantasy is to move there one day.  A little flat by Montemartre please! 

My favourite five things about Paris are...

Firstly, the beautiful skyline. For a stunning day-time view, go up the escalators to the top of the Pompidou Centre. Magnificent, with the mix of olde worlde roofs and modern skyscrapers, plus the adorable Sacre Coeur Cathedral, nestling in the hillside. In fact the Sacre Coeur is my favourite part of Paris altogether. I remember several romantic moments, sitting on its steps at night, looking across the star-lit, twinkling Parisian horizon. And, of course, it is just a few minutes walk from the artists’ haven, Montemartre. *Sigh*. I wish I could fly out there tomorrow.

The patisserie. Oh my word. Nothing beats the smell of walking past a Parisian bakery. Often, on the way to work, I would grab a warm pain-au-raisin, and on the way back grab a baguette and snap the top of to eat, before getting on the underground. And what a feast for the eyes – the stunning array of tarts and pastries available to buy.  Pastry-making is a real art and one the French do so well. Coupled with a coffee or hot chocolate, what could be better?

Parisians. Okay, some fit the classic stereotype of being snooty or abrupt – but the ones I worked with were lovely. I adore their accents. How quickly they speak. Their hand gesticulations. The emphatic expressions. Their love of debating abstract subjects or politics. I also admire their dress sense and rarely remember seeing a scruffy professional on the train – we’re talking classy clothes made different perhaps with a quirky accessory. For hours I could people- watch, sitting in a café, watching Parisians walk past with their groomed little dogs or well-dressed children.  It’s an intrinsic style I could never pick up in a million years. 

The open markets, particularly the flea markets, the Marché aux Puces, especially the big one at Porte de Clignacourt. What a treat, moseying along, looking at vast selection of goods on sale – antiques, jewellery, food, records, perfumes, watches, clothes. I bought myself a second-hand suede jacket there one Sunday morning. Always a fascinating day out, as long as you watched out for pick-pockets. The smells of exotic foreign foods cooking in little stalls have stayed with me forever, along with the sound of bartering customers and stallholders trying to attract attention.

I suppose what I like most, though, is that Paris is such an inspiring place, it makes me feel that anything is possible. With the magical horizon at night, the eclectic architecture, its locals who love art and politics, the wide range of restaurants and shops... It’s a city without a city feel, with its parks and cobbled streets still holding their own amongst the modern developments.

Thank you Samantha, for those fantastic thoughts about Paris. I can see I still have a lot about the city to explore, to appreciate fully next time I'm there.

Giveaway to win a Paris Tote Bag (Open Internationally)

Samantha Tonge has bought this lovely Paris tote bag, to giveaway to followers of Rachel's Random Reads. 

Giveaway open internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 19/2/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio

Samantha Tonge lives in Cheshire with her lovely family and a cat that thinks it’s a dog. When not writing, she spends her days cycling and willing cakes to rise. She has sold over 80 short stories to women’s magazines. Her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award in 2014. Her summer 2015 novel Game of Scones hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart. 

Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

AmazonUK or Amazon US

How To Get Hitched in Ten Days - Out Now

Amazon UK

HOW NOT TO GET THE GIRL…

Meet Mikey, every girl’s best friend – he bakes the creamiest cheesecake, loves movie nights and is a great dance partner.

For Jasmine, Mikey is the perfect flatmate – he owns a 50s diner that turns out the best food around, gives the best bear hugs and amazing romance advice – after all they’re scoping out the same hot guys! So when her boyfriend proposes in the worst possible way, Jazz knows her best friend will be there to pick up the pieces with gourmet popcorn, Pinot sleepovers and a shoulder to lean on.

But Mikey isn’t about to let Jasmine give up on love, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to mend her broken heart – even if it means helping the one person who sees him as the enemy…

Because at the end of the day, all’s fair in the pursuit of true love… right?